Helo Steam Expert 2012 Customer Edition
index Become a steam expert Become a steam expert 3 What exactly is steam? 4 Why bathe in a steam bath? 5 Why buy Helo? 6 The Basics... 7 What door should I use? 9 What shower tray should I use? 9 Do I need to use special tiles or grout? 10 Do I need special steam proof lights? 10 Where does the generator go? 12 How does the steam come out in the shower? 13 Some steam shower examples... 14 Water supply 16 Electrical supply 17 Does the generator need to be connected to a drain? 19 What about the steam generator pressure relief valve? 19 How long does the steam shower take to get hot? 20 Do I need special ventilation? 20 How do you control the steam temperature? 22 How do I make the ceiling for my steam shower? 23 What is the best height for a steam shower? 24 Do I need a special drain in the shower? 25 Do I need to insulate the room? 25 Still have some questions? 25 For many years, we have been asking customers why they decided to choose Helo steam. More than 90% say for a bit of luxury at home. Steam is a simple way to turn any bathroom into a luxurious home spa. But isn t it complicated? No, not particularly... This booklet has been written to answer the various questions raised when planning steam, but also to give as much background information and discussion as possible so that you can fully understand the product. In fact, you can know everything we know... 3
What exactly is steam? Why bathe in a steam bath? When you boil water you produce water vapour otherwise known as steam. Steam in its pure form is clear, however when it mixes with cooler air it starts to condense and this is the condition, when it is visible, that most people associate with steam. Filling a shower with steam increases both the humidity and the temperature. Humidity is the key to heat sensation the higher the humidity, the hotter you will feel at the same temperature. This is why a steam shower will feel hot at 40ºC, whilst a dry sauna needs to be 70-80ºC to feel as hot. Steam bathing is a luxury that dates back thousands of years, first enjoyed by the ancient Greeks, then the Romans, who built Sudatoria in public baths across their expansive empire. The Turkish still enjoy steam in the same way in their public Hamman baths, as do the Russians with their Banja. In the UK, many people will have enjoyed steam bathing at their health club or spa as part of their fitness/health regime. Much research has been done into the benefits of heat treatments such as sauna and steam, and use is claimed to alleviate many types of breathing, joint and muscular disorders. However, the clearest benefits are relaxation (body and mind), stress relief and deep skin cleansing. 4 5
Why buy Helo? Helo is the world s largest sauna & steam company, with factories in Germany, Sweden, Finland and the US. Helo sells more than 15,000 steam generators, 100,000 sauna heaters and 15,000 sauna cabins each year. You benefit from our global investment in product development, manufacturing efficiency and purchasing power. In the UK we have been selling sauna & steam products for almost 20 years, and during this time we have built a reputation for quality and service. We understand that when you come to Helo you are not just buying a steam generator, you need a complete service, and that s what we aim to provide. No extra space is needed The Basics... Filling an area with steam raises humidity and temperature, creating a pleasant environment within which to relax and detoxify. The most popular space to use for steam is a new or existing shower there are three reasons for this: 1 2 A regular 3 shower enclosure is 90% ready for steam It s nice to shower after steam bathing A compact steam generator is installed within 5 metres of the steam room, for example in a cupboard, under the stairs, in a loft or garage. The generator needs water and an electrical supply. The steam is then delivered to the shower in a lagged 22mm copper pipe. The more powerful the generator, the more steam it will produce; the larger the room the more steam it needs to get hot. To find out what size generator you require, use the spec your steam function on our website www.helo.co.uk 6 7
The space you are using has to retain most of the steam, otherwise it won t get hot. So you need to choose a door that has relatively small gaps, and either cap the shower enclosure with a Helo dome, or box in above the shower. It is not necessary to get the area 100% steam proof some steam will always escape when you open and close the door, but standard bathroom vent extraction will cope with this. The idea is to relax, so you need to provide somewhere to sit this can be achieved by creating a structural bench in the shower, or by using a foldaway shower seat. What door should I use? The only factor to consider when choosing a door is whether it will keep most of the steam in the shower. The door does not need to be air-tight, any shower or steam door which has a reasonable vertical seal, and not too large gaps top and bottom will be fine for steam. What shower tray should I use? Any shower tray is suitable for steam there are no special requirements. The steam outlet is mounted on the wall 300mm above the shower tray/floor. The steam is directed back at the wall, therefore the shower tray or floor below will not be adversely effected by the heat. See page 13 for steam outlet details. 8 More detailed guidance is given in the pages following, but if you are unsure about anything please don t hesitate to call Helo on 01342-300555 9
Do I need to use special tiles or grout? No, any tiles or grout suitable for a shower will be fine for steam. We understand that when you come to Helo you are not just buying a steam generator, you need a complete service, and that s what we aim to provide. The humidity in a steam room is higher than a regular shower, but this is only water in the air, and the temperature is raised, but only to about 40-45 c, which is not hot enough to cause a problem. Do I need special steam proof lights? No, any lights suitable for a shower will be fine for steam. Use low voltage (12v), IP65 rated lights. These are also available from Helo. 10 11
Where does the generator go? How does the steam come out in the shower? The steam generator should be located in a room or space up to 5 metres from the shower, for example in a cupboard, under the stairs, in a loft or garage. Helo generators are all quite compact (see measurements below), but please allow enough space around the generator in case access is ever required. Model Width Depth Height N-series 520mm 160mm 380mm M-series 520mm 160mm 380mm T-series 520mm 160mm 380mm A-series 420mm 170mm 330mm The N, M, and T-series generators all come with a white steam outlet made from a material called Acetal (shown below right, with optional weep box steam diffuser). This material does not conduct heat and therefore remains relatively cool to touch, hence reducing the possibility of the steam bather getting burnt by the steam outlet. This steam outlet features a small stainless steel reservoir where essential oils can be placed in order to infuse the steam with a chosen aroma. Where space is tight, and there is a chance that the user s feet may be close to the steam outlet, you may wish to diffuse the steam with our weep box (shown below left). This is a Perspex cover, which fits over the outlet, diffusing the steam gently into the shower area. The A-series generator comes with a cool touch steam outlet, with plastic interior and plated exterior. This means the A-series steam outlet is available in different finishes, such as chrome or gold. This outlet also has a built-in reservoir for essential oils. The steam generator can be located in a cupboard, under the stairs. 12 13
A few examples... Marble Steam Shower This smart marble enclosure built by a Helo retailer in Surrey demonstrates how steam works with a frameless glass door. Compact Steam Shower This shower created by a Helo retailer in Stroud shows how a luxury shower and steam room can be created in compact dimensions, neatly recessed with a purpose built tiled seat. Steam Shower with glass front A beautiful steam room with all glass front created by a Helo retailer in Manchester. The clean, open look is enhanced by the use of moveable stools in wood and chrome finish. Larger Steam Room Larger rooms allow for more seating space, either for multiple users or for lounging in comfort. This room with a shower was created by a Helo retailer in London and features L-shaped benching. 14 15
Water Supply Electrical Supply The generator needs a 15mm cold water supply (warm water can also be used) with a minimum pressure of 6-foot head or 0.2 bar. This is because the water inlet solenoid on the generator needs a small amount of pressure to work. If there is less than 0.2 bar pressure, the steam generator will not work, or may only work intermittently, as it fills up with water very slowly. It is very unlikely that the water pressure in a house will be this low. However, there is one instance you should be aware of, which is when the generator is located in a loft area and the water supply comes from a tank which is also in the loft here the water has not dropped far enough to create any pressure. In this instance, the water supply should be taken from the supply to the water tank, rather from the tank itself. Ideally, the pressure should not exceed 1 bar or 33.5 foot of head, this is because if the pressure is too high, the bather may hear the noise of a rush of cold water hitting the boiling contents of the generator tank. If the only water supply available is at high pressure, the installer should fit a pressure-reducing valve (this is an item that can be bought from any plumbers merchant). Some commercial installations, where the steam generator is working many hours per day, require a water softener to filter out any impurities such as lime scale or chalk. However, in a domestic application only the worst water would need filtering. The rule is that if other water-fed equipment (such as a washing machine or kettle) is OK, then no filtering is required. The steam generator needs a suitable power supply please see the table below. Power 1 Phase 3 Phase 3kW 13amps 5amps 4.7kW 21amps 7amps 6kW 26amps 9amps 7.7kW 34amps 12amps 9kW 40amps 13amps 10kW 44amps N/A 12kW 53amps 18amps 14kW N/A 21amps The supplies shown above are for single generators. For larger power requirements, multiple generators can be linked together to achieve up to 36kW. Helo generators need to be wired to a dedicated supply. Therefore, a qualified electrician will be required to carry out this work. The time required to install the supply and connect a steam generator depends on the particular complications of the house / location, however typically this work should take approx half a day to complete. Some houses get their water from a borehole supply, which tend to be very chalky. In this case a water softener should be used. 16 17
Electrical Supply - continued Generally, the generator should not be housed in the bathroom itself. This is because it is a high voltage piece of equipment, and electrical regulations state that such items should not be fitted in a wet area. If you have to house the generator in the bathroom, access must only be provided from outside the room. For example, if the generator is located under the steam shower bench, the bench must be 100% permanently sealed, and ventilation and access should be given only from the room behind the shower (assuming this is a dry area). A qualified electrician will have to certify the installation, so the main factor is whether he is happy with the location. Does the generator need to be connected to a drain? The only practical reason to fit an automatic drain to a steam generator is to help counter the effects of limescale. Helo generators feature incalloy elements and a stainless steel tank, both of which are highly resistant to limescale, therefore reducing the need for an automatic drain. Helo generators are available with a manual or automatic drain upgrade. Specify where the generator is being heavily used, where there is very heavy limescale, or where a water softener is connected to the generator water supply. A-series generators use copper elements and are supplied as standard with an automatic drain system. What about the steam generator pressure relief valve? All Helo steam generators have a pressure relief valve. This is a safety precaution if for some reason the steam pipe were to get completely blocked, with the steam generator on, there would be a pressure build up in the steam generator tank, which would be able to escape from the pressure relief valve. In almost 20 years of selling domestic steam in the UK, to the best of our knowledge, this has never happened. However, although we do not consider it necessary, it is quite simple to run a copper pipe from the pressure relief valve connection on the steam generator to an outside wall or drain, should you wish to do so. 18 19
How long does the steam shower take to get hot? The steam generator should start to produce steam within a few minutes, and the steam area will be comfortable to bathe (+/- 30ºC) within 10-15 minutes. When a thermostatic control is being used, the steam room temperature will continue to rise until the preset temperature is reached, at which point this temperature will be maintained by the generator. If the generator is installed in manual state (with a simple ON/OFF button instead of a thermostatic control), the steam room temperature will continue to rise until the user presses the button to stop it. For safety, manual generators are fitted with a default 25-minute run-time, which switches the generator off. Do I need special ventilation? No, you do not need any special ventilation for a steam room or steam shower. The steam will condense back to water and drain away. You can speed up this process by running the shower. Most bathrooms have a vent extract, which should be sufficient to remove any steam that escapes during use. If you are building a larger steam room with a particularly well-sealed door, a vent inside the area will assist the steam circulation. 20 21
How do you control the steam temperature? Helo offers four generator ranges, N, M, T and A-Series: N Series the popular N-series model, this spec adds a recessed digital control to maintain the temperature automatically at a chosen level within the 25-minute cycle. A bright LED display keeps you informed and your chosen temperature is held in memory. The steam may be stopped and started at any time with the push button. M Series digital time/temp control with soft steam. Developed from the popular N-series generator, the M-series uses a neat, slim line control with on/off button, variable time and temperature with twin LED display and a handy button to turn on the shower light. The control is surface mounted so only a thin wire has to pass through the tiled wall. Chrome and White bezels are included. A special benefit with the M-series is the soft steam function, which ensures there is always plenty of steam even when the room has reached temperature. A Series luxury generator with warm start and soft steam. For clients who want the best! The smart interior control allows time and temperature setting, while a press on the special warm start button outside the steam room will preheat the generator so the steam is immediate! The automatic soft steam function ensures a constant steamy atmosphere and auto-flush keeps the tank clean useful when a water softener is fitted. How do I make the ceiling for my steam shower? To keep the steam in a shower enclosure, you need to either box-in above the shower, or use one of Helo s acrylic steam domes. If you decide to box in, simply infill above the shower door and finish to match the rest of the bathroom. You can then form a false ceiling in the shower area, perhaps with a low voltage, IP65-rated light. The ceiling should be made from a material that is water resistant, for example Helo steam panels or tiles. T Series packed with features to ensure the best possible steam environment. The latest design T1 control has a proximity sensor built-in to the screen, so when it senses movement, it wakes up. Set the run time, temperature and myriad other functions using the touch-screen and let the control and the generator work together using Helo s unique soft steam function to create the perfect bathing experience. If possible you should incorporate a slight fall (approx. 1 in 40), so that any condensation will run away. If you opt for the steam dome solution, just choose a dome size/shape that matches the shower enclosure. If you can t see one the right size, call Helo and there is a good chance we will be able to have one made to suit. The dome comes with simple fixing clips, which allow it to be removed later for cleaning. 22 23
What is the best height for a steam shower? Do I need a special drain in the shower? Heat rises, so the lower the ceiling in the steam shower, the easier it is to heat up and the more comfortable it will be at low level. Helo recommends an idea height of 2.1m, and a maximum effective height of 2.4m, however provided the steam generator is powerful enough the ceiling can be any height, within reason. No, any standard shower waste of wet area drain will be fine. By the time the steam reaches the drain it has already condensed back to water and will simply drain away. Do I need to insulate the room? Insulation is not necessary. However, as with a standard shower enclosure, using a simple tile backer board (such as Wedi or Dukkaboard) does help to keep the chill off tiles, which enhances the shower/ steam experience, and also acts as additional DPM. Using a tile backer board will also reduce heat up times if you are using steam. Still have some questions? We have tried to include as much information as possible in this booklet, however if there is anything at all that you are still unclear about please do not hesitate to contact us on 01342-300555. 24 25
Helo UK Limited 3 Felbridge Centre, Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1XP Tel. 01342-300555 Fax. 01342-300550 E. sales@helo.co.uk www.helo.co.uk